October 15, 2024: Lupita Nyong’o recently opened up about her ongoing grief for Chadwick Boseman, her co-star from Black Panther, during a panel discussion at the BFI London Film Festival on October 14.
It has been four years since Boseman passed away from colon cancer, and Nyong’o revealed that she has not been able to watch Black Panther since his death.
In an emotional moment, Nyong’o admitted, “I haven’t seen the film since Chadwick died, so I’m having a moment.” She went on to express how deeply his passing has affected her, sharing, “Grief is just love with no place to put it.”
Nyong’o spoke about how she embraces her grief, not shying away from the tears, but instead living with them, reflecting on the love she and Boseman shared as friends. While watching a clip from Black Panther, Nyong’o felt overwhelmed by her emotions, saying, “I don’t know whether I’ll ever be done shedding my tears from losing my friend. But I’m like, ‘We get to see him alive.’ And that’s so wonderful.”
Her reflections on grief came shortly after she shared a touching tribute to Boseman on Instagram to mark the fourth anniversary of his death. She quoted, “‘Grief never ends… But it changes. It is a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith. It’s the price of love.'” In her post, she wrote, “Remembering Chadwick Boseman. Forever.”
Boseman passed away in 2020, just before filming for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever began, and his absence significantly influenced the tone and direction of the sequel. Nyong’o’s co-stars, including Angela Bassett and Danai Gurira, also reflected on how his memory impacted the filming process. Angela Bassett, who played Boseman’s mother in the film, spoke of the deep reverence the cast had for him, while Gurira described the filming as part of her healing journey, keeping Boseman’s memory close.
Together, Nyong’o and the Black Panther cast continue to honor Boseman’s legacy, recognizing the lasting impact he had on their lives, both personally and professionally.
